Wood burners

[ayceejay]

A warm flu will pull better than a cold flu so my revision of the 'kindling on top' would be to build as usual with kindling at the bottom and then add the crushed newspaper on the top then light both top and bottom. Let the stove burn hot until the outside casing is hot and the fire pulling well before adjusting.

 

[Ganymede]

A warm flu will pull better than a cold flu so my revision of the 'kindling on top' would be to build as usual with kindling at the bottom and then add the crushed newspaper on the top then light both top and bottom. Let the stove burn hot until the outside casing is hot and the fire pulling well before adjusting.

I often do this - lay the paper and kindling with a few small logs in a cold stove, light the paper, then put a lightly-crumpled sheet of paper above it and push the door to, leaving a good draught. The top paper burns quickly and send heat up the chimney.

 

[brand]

Pine cones work well as they have a very large surface area. I dry them in one of those net bags. Although if you collect after a few days without rain they would probably not need drying.

 

[Gatters]

I live in a village (a local one for local people) and most of the neighbouring cottages have their fires going. Have a fireplace myself, just never lit it up.

I've lived in that same village for 50 years...I'll never leave

 

[ayceejay]

I've lived in that same village for 50 years...I'll never leave

Are you trapped in a basement?

 

[Andy_R]

I'd never start a fire from the top hoping it will go downwards. It just doesn't work. Bottom one looks good

Ermm...we use upside down campfires all the time with the Scouts and they work every time. It's all about getting the proper build. Just piling newspaper ontop of logs is never going to work. Start off at the bottom with big chuncky logs, then smaller logs. Add kindling on top then tinder/kindling mix. As the tinder/kindling catches it burns down and drops hot embers in to kindling. This then catches and drops bigger embers/coals to the smaller logs, etc. etc...anyone who says this doesn't work hasn't built it properly

 

[Andy_R]

[QUOTE 3589598, member: 9609"]I finally got round to giving this a go,
Made an upside down fire as per the instructions

Looks promising[/QUOTE]

You don't have any kindling in that fire. You've got tinder (newspaper) and fire wood. It ain't ever going to work like that. (Scout Leader and ex Scout who has been building fires for the last 40 years)
Arrange your split logs at the bottom so that pointy bits go up wards to catch embers. Arrange smaller logs above, at 90% so they don't smother the fire and allow max air flow. Random kindling layer above (think "Pick up Sticks"). Then a mix of tinder and kindling to cover the lower layer. Sometime it helps to add a layer of kindling above that to create more embers.

 

[ayceejay]

A campfire is the same as a wood stove then Andy is it?

 

[welsh dragon]

Ermm...we use upside down campfires all the time with the Scouts and they work every time. It's all about getting the proper build. Just piling newspaper ontop of logs is never going to work. Start off at the bottom with big chuncky logs, then smaller logs. Add kindling on top then tinder/kindling mix. As the tinder/kindling catches it burns down and drops hot embers in to kindling. This then catches and drops bigger embers/coals to the smaller logs, etc. etc...anyone who says this doesn't work hasn't built it properly

You obviously have more experience than i do and successs. Ive never been able to do it that way. On the other hand I never have trouble using the old tried and tested method. Each to his own as they say

 

[Cuchilo]

Whats the orange for

 

[welsh dragon]

Whats the orange for

A nice smell perhaps?

 

[Ganymede]

A nice smell perhaps?

Actually dried orange peel is a good firestarter. Also, if you have a bit of fresh peel and squeeze it with the skin side towards a candle, you get a nice sparkly effect and a lovely smell.

But I think he just happened to eat an orange. *ceases to breathe while waiting for the real explanation*

 

[welsh dragon]

Actually dried orange peel is a good firestarter. Also, if you have a bit of fresh peel and squeeze it with the skin side towards a candle, you get a nice sparkly effect and a lovely smell.

But I think he just happened to eat an orange. *ceases to breathe while waiting for the real explanation*

I didnt know about getting a sparkly effect. Nice.

 

[Chromatic]

Done a pheasant stew with tons of Lentils forgot the vedge but most went in the freezer so can add later.
Curried pheasant next. The game keeper I occasionally beat for is refusing to sell to the game dealers as the price is so low. So need to make sure my panniers are empty after Christmas time to fill them up.
For those who don't know the efficiency of different heating methods based on boiling water.
Gas hob 40%
Microwave 67%
Kettle 80%
Woodburner 100% but only if the woodburner is being used to heat a room. All heat that doesn't heat the water heats the room. Nothing wasted. To sum up you are saving the world!!!!

Are you sure about all these figures?

 

[raleighnut]

Are you sure about all these figures?

I am, if the woodburner is lit then any kettle or saucepan on it is heated for free.
However lighting a woodburner to boil a kettle would not be very efficient (BTW do not put an electric kettle on top of a woodburner.....The powerlead may melt)